Seeking the good

Our natural inclination is to drawn distinctions - in what ways are you and I different? what is it that marks this group out from that group? etc. We do this all the time quite naturally. For example, when buying a mobile phone we want to know the difference in features and costs between this model or price plan, and that one.

Our western society holds choice as a mark of freedom, to the extent that (I hear today) there are over 300 price plans for gas or electricity currently available in the UK. (I suppose this must prove that we are a very 'free' society!). So we have become totally used to navigating choices when it comes to buying gizmos, utilities or even frozen peas.

But as the choices become wider and wider, we often need to look for help in understanding the finer and finer distinctions between this and that, and turn to a whole industry to help us choose - expert reviews, consumer reviews, comparison websites, etc.

And, when it comes to churches, this materialistic attitude (for that is what it is) naturally comes along too. So I've just typed "which church" into Google, and now have over 300,000,000 results to help me!

Except that maybe it's not the differences between churches that matter.

The more we focus on differences, the more we splinter into fragments until, eventually, we come down to the individual level, for God made us each one of us different. But if we focus on the similarities, the common ground, we may find that we are all human, all made in God's image, all sinners, and all living on Earth together.

It's easy to be critical and find fault (except in ourselves!), but can we seek and find the good? Whatever you focus on will grow. Focus on the differences and faults and you'll find plenty. But Jesus looked at poor people, rich people, women, sick people and outcasts such as lepers, Samaritans (also outcasts), centurions, etc - all with an eye of love. I don't mean he turned a blind eye to their sins, but his attitude was always seeking their good, looking to draw them close to himself.

Can we earnestly seek his forgiveness for our critical spirit which sees only distinction and difference, and ask for his loving eyes, which see all Christians, in fact all humankind, as loved by him?

Then, perhaps, just perhaps, we will be less interested in the distinctions between churches and theological viewpoints, and more interested in getting on with doing his work of redemption - Christians united in one family. Now that would be force to be reckoned with! And the foundation for a fantastic witness (John 17v23).